Dispensing container



De 21, 1943 R. M. LEVINGsToN DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed July 8, 1941 Patented Dec. 21, 1943 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a dispensing container, and has relation more particularly to a container in the nature of a bag or sack constructed of paper, cloth, or similar material of desired weight adapted to contain granular, dry material, such as coffee, sugar, salt and the like as dispensed over the counter.

t is an object of the invention to provide a container of this kind particularly adapted for use in the handling of dry foods, poultry land stock feeds, and the like, and wherein the oontainer is provided with a spout member attached thereto for the purpose of pouring the contents from the container without breaking the seal or other closure for the container after being filled.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a container having a pouring spout member wherein such spout member is constructed of a nexible material, permitting the same to be held in a flattened condition in a close or i-lrrn position against an outer surface of the container in a manner to substantially eliminate the liability of the spout member being accidentally torn off or damaged.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a container such as a bag or sack at its lower part with a spout member through which the contents of the bag or sack is adapted to be discharged.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved dispensing container, whereby certain important advantages are attained, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a dispensing container constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, with the spout member in a folded or inoperative position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational View of the container with the spout member in an extended or operative position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional View taken through the spout and the adjacent wall of the container;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, but showing the spout member open for pouring;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary View, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating another embodiment of my invention; and

Figure 8 is a view in rear elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure '7.V

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, B denotes a bag or sack of desired dimensions and of a character to be lled with dry granular foods, such as coiee, sugar, rice, hominy grits, iiour, etc., or grain, or poultry or stock feeds. The particular construction of the bag or sack E, in itself, forms no part of the present invention other than to emphasize the fact that the walls of the bag or sack B are readily exible so that the same can be flattened out when not in use, or may be readily distended when being filled. Associated with the lower or close end portion of the bag or sack B is a spout member S. This member S is of desired dimensions and comprises two overlying laminations i of suitable flexible material, and preferably of the same material as that of the bag or sack B, although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself in this respect. These laminations l are suitably secured along their side or longitudinal marginal portions, and the outer ends of these laminations, or more particularly the Space therebetween, is closed by a sealing strip 2 folded over the outer ends of the laminations I and adhesively or otherwise secured to the outer faces of the adjacent end portions of the laminations I.

The inner ends of the laminations I are disposed transversely on a predetermined angle, as at 3, and said end margins 3 are provided therealong with the flaps 4 which may be adhesiveiy secured to the outer surface of a wall of the bag or sack B. When the spout member S is attached to the wall of the bag or sack Bl the laminations I thereof are substantially in close contact throughout their area. The outer end portion of the spout member S is adapted to be sealed or closed by an elongated band 5 of a bendable material. The central portion of this band 5 is suitably attached. as at 6, to an outer face of a lamination I at a point close to its outer end. This band 5 is of a length to extend a desired distance beyond opposite sides of the spout member S so that when it is desired to close or seal the spout member S it is only necessary that the extended portions of this band 5 be tightly folded or bent inwardly of the spout member S across the side thereof remote from the lamination l to which the band 5 is attached.

When the bag or sack B is in its flattened position the spout member S will lie closely against a face of the bag, and after the bag or sack B has been lled as desired the spout member S in its flattened or initial condition may be held closely against a face of the filled bag by a cord, rubber band or the like encircling the bag and extending over the spout member S.

When it is desired to discharge the contents Within the iilled .bag or sack B, the outer end portion of the spout member S is cut or clipped along the line a, and a knife or other suitable implement inserted inwardly of the open spout member S to cut or sever the portion of the Wall of the bag or sack B between the laminations l. By proper tilting of the bag or sack B the contents therein will be readily poured out through the spout. When it is not desired to completely empty the bag or sack B, after the desired amount of the contents has been poured out, the spout member S can be readily and conveniently closed by proper bending or flexing of the band 5, as hereinbefore set forth.

In view of the foregoing it is beiieved to be clearly apparent that by the use of the spout member S the contents of the bag or sack can be readily delivered without breaking the seal or closure at the mouth of the bag, and it is also believed to be readily understood that by the use of the sealing strip 2 the contents of the bag are protected against insects or the like, as is also true of the band 5.

It is to be stated that when the spout member S is used with a paper bag the attachment of the member S tO the bag is preferably through the medium of a suitable adhesive. However, when the bag or sack B is made of burlap or other cloth and the spout member S of a similar material, the securing of the spout member S to the bag or sack is preferably by stitching.

When the container is made of paper there may be provided through a wall of said container or bag B, between the laminations i of the applied spout member, a row of perforations to facilitate the desired opening through said wall of the bag or sack. If preferred, however, the perforations 'l may be dispensed with and the Wall of the container or bag Bpenetrated or slitted by knife or other suitable implement inserted between the laminations l of the member S.

The member S does not necessarily have to be at the bottom portion of the container or bag B, but can be placed at any other location which may be preferred, as may be best suited for dispensing the contents of the container or bag. The member S can also be employed to advantage in connection with cardboard cartons such as used in packaging breakfast cereals and the like.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 a wall of the container or bag C, at a preferred location thereon, is provided with a relatively large round opening 8, and secured to the outer surface of the container or bag C and surrounding this opening 8, is a spout member M. This member M is adapted to be sealed in substantially the same manner as hereinbefore set forth with respect to the member S. This member M, however, when open is cylindrical in form and the inner end of the member M is provided therearound with the tabs S which are adhesively or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the container or bag C.

It is to be stated that when the spout member S or M is made of cloth or burlap, the cuter eX- tremities thereof may be closed by a draw string. It is also to be pointed out that the container with which my improved spout member is employed may be made of paper or cardboard for holding' granulated soap or soap chips.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a dispensing container constructed in accordance with my invention is particu larly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated.

I claim:

A container for granular material comprising a bag, a iiattened spout member, the walls of Which are ileXible, means for attaching an end portion of the flattened spout to the outer sur-- face of a side wall of the bag, said spout being entirely exterior of the bag, the exibility of the Walls of the spout member permitting distension of the spout upon slitting the wall of the bag between the collapsed Wall of the spout member, the wall of the bag to which the spout member is attached initially closing the spout member against ow therethrough from the bag.

RICHARD lVI. LEVINGSTON. 

